Denny’s Bullish on Ending Cow Mutilations

After Talks With PETA, International Chain of 24-Hour Eateries Moves to Stop Painful Dehorning of Calves

For Immediate Release:
March 30, 2015

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

After learning from PETA that calves and cows on dairy farms have their horns gouged out with sharp metal scoops or their horn tissue burned out of their heads, Denny’s has come out in support of polled, or naturally hornless, cattle—an important move that paves the way for the elimination of this cruel process in its supply chain. In an e-mail, the Spartanburg-based chain told PETA, “Denny’s supports, and has [a] purchase preference for the utilization of polled breeding stock in all cattle production.” A video of the dehorning process, narrated by actor Casey Affleck, can be seen here.

Other household names that have recently addressed dehorning include General Mills (with brands such as Häagen-Dazs, Yoplait, Old El Paso, Nature Valley, Cheerios, Green Giant, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, and more marketed in more than 100 countries across six continents), Starbucks, Nestlé, and Dunkin’ Brands (which owns Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins). Since PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—began working with companies on this issue three years ago, the number of polled Holstein bulls in the U.S. has increased eightfold.

“While PETA encourages everyone to choose vegan milks and cheeses, we recognize the importance of reducing animal suffering wherever it occurs,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “By supporting naturally hornless cattle, Denny’s will spare calves the immense pain of having their horn tissue burned out of their heads, and we hope it moves quickly to make this 100 percent of its buy-in.”

As revealed in Casey Affleck’s video exposé, cows struggle desperately and cry out in pain during dehorning, which is routinely performed without giving them any painkillers.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.